Xbox is the number one publisher on the PlayStation store

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Today, it’s been announced that Xbox has increased prices on their hardware and accessories globally. At the same time, we discover that they have seen success in the software and subscription sector of their business. On a recent earnings call discussing financial results for January through March this year, Xbox shared their findings, as initially reported by VideoGamesChronicle. Interestingly, during this period, Xbox emerged as the top publisher on the PlayStation store, indicating that their decision to release exclusive games on the rival platform is proving fruitful. However, it’s worth noting that Xbox saw a 6% decrease in hardware sales compared to the same time last year.

Xbox hardware sales are down, but software makes it the number one publisher on PS5

The decrease in hardware sales coincides with Xbox emerging as the leading video game publisher globally. As fewer exclusive games entice buyers to the Xbox console, it’s no wonder that sales are dropping. Microsoft’s “This is an Xbox” campaign signifies a move away from the concept of a single device for its proprietary titles. Instead, they aim to cater to players in their preferred environments. This approach seems effective as PC Game Pass earnings have risen by 45% annually, and Cloud Gaming saw a record-breaking 150 million hours played within this period.

Unusual times have arrived even in the world of video games. It’s seldom that a console experiences a price hike several years following its launch, but this trend is not exclusive to Xbox. Recently, PlayStation raised the cost for its PlayStation Plus service, and there are predictions that after the expiration of the 90-day tariff exemption, the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 might follow suit with an increase in price as well.

It’s intriguing to ponder whether Xbox will continue to dominate both of its competitors in terms of publishing. Recently, Xbox Studios have seen a flurry of impressive game releases, with even more on the horizon this year. Meanwhile, PlayStation Studios have had a relatively quiet year so far. Notable titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (released on April 17th for PlayStation) and Doom: The Dark Ages (scheduled for May 15th), which are expected to drive sales and pre-orders, certainly make an impact. However, at present, there isn’t much competition in the market.

For the remainder of 2023, PlayStation boasts Death Stranding 2: On the Beach slated for June and Ghost of Yotei in October. With the prospect of Grand Theft Auto 6 making waves, it’s clear that Sony has a strong lineup this year. In contrast, Xbox is anticipating Obsidian’s The Outer Worlds 2 towards the end of the year, which is expected to be excellent, but may not be the game that solidifies Xbox’s dominance on PlayStation’s platform. This strategic change will take several years to fully materialize. Initially, I assumed Xbox would launch a new console for the next generation, but this seems less probable as time goes by.

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2025-05-01 23:02